Shopping basket

ABSTRACT

A shopping basket includes a main basket body configured to store a product therein and a bottom part attached to the main basket body to open and close a lower opening of the main basket body. When the bottom part closes the lower opening, the main basket body and the bottom part constitute an internal space which is surrounded by the main basket body and the bottom part and which communicates with the upper opening and the lower opening, and allow the internal space to store the product therein. When the bottom part opens the lower opening, the lower opening allows the product to be taken out of the internal space through the lower opening. When moving a product to a container, a user is not required to lift and take out the products one by one from an upper opening of the shopping basket.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a shopping basket.

BACKGROUND ART

PTL 1 discloses a shopping basket that has an upwardly open box shape, and includes a bottom plate and four side walls. In the shopping basket, the bottom plate and four side walls are formed integrally. An internal space of the shopping basket is a storage space for placing products.

For example, in a supermarket, a user selects displayed products, and stores the selected products in the shopping basket. Thereafter, the user pays for the products stored in the shopping basket, and moves the products to another container, such as a shopping bag.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: Japanese Utility Model No. 3135221

SUMMARY

A shopping basket includes a main basket body configured to store a product therein and a bottom part attached to the main basket body to open and close a lower opening of the main basket body. When the bottom part closes the lower opening, the main basket body and the bottom part constitute an internal space which is surrounded by the main basket body and the bottom part and which communicates with the upper opening and the lower opening, and allow the internal space to store the product therein. When the bottom part opens the lower opening, the lower opening allows the product to be taken out of the internal space through the lower opening. When moving a product to a container, a user is not required to lift and take out the products one by one from an upper opening of the shopping basket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shopping basket according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the shopping basket along line IIA-IIA illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the shopping basket along line IIB-IIB illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the shopping basket according to Embodiment 1 for illustrating a usage of the shopping basket.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the shopping basket according to Embodiment 1 for illustrating a usage of the shopping basket.

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the shopping basket according to Embodiment 1 for illustrating a usage of the shopping basket.

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the shopping basket according to Embodiment 1 for illustrating a usage of the shopping basket.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of another shopping basket according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the shopping basket illustrated in FIG. 4A according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of still another shopping basket according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the shopping basket along line VI-VI illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the shopping basket along line VII-VII illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the shopping basket along line VIII-VIII illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a plate body of the shopping basket illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged view of the shopping basket illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a partial enlarged view of the shopping basket illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the shopping basket along line XII-XII illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13A is a partial enlarged view of the shopping basket illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 13B is a partial enlarged view of further shopping basket according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a shopping basket according to Exemplary Embodiment 2.

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the shopping basket according to Embodiment 2.

FIG. 14C is a perspective view of the shopping basket according to Embodiment 2.

FIG. 14D is a partial enlarged view of the shopping basket illustrated in FIG. 14B.

FIG. 15A is a front view of the shopping basket according to Embodiment 2.

FIG. 15B is a front view of the shopping basket according to Embodiment 2.

FIG. 15C is a front view of the shopping basket according to Embodiment 2.

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view of another shopping basket according to Embodiment 2.

FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of still another shopping basket according to Embodiment 2.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (1) Exemplary Embodiment 1 (1-1) Outline

A shopping basket according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 is prepared in stores, such as convenience stores, supermarkets, department stores, and drugstores, and is used when a user who is a purchaser selects displayed products and carries the selected products.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of shopping basket 501 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of shopping basket 501 along line IIA-IIA illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of shopping basket 501 along line IIB-IIB illustrated in FIG. 1. Shopping basket 501 includes main basket body 1, bottom part 2, and two handles 6. Main basket body 1 includes circumferential wall 13 that has upper opening 11 and lower opening 12 therein. In shopping basket 501, bottom part 2 moves automatically or manually to open lower opening 12. Shopping basket 501 having products stored therein is placed above an opening of a container, such as a shopping bag, while the opening of the container opening upward. Then, in this state, bottom part 2 is moved to open lower opening 12, and allows the products to be taken out from lower opening 12. After that, by removing shopping basket 501, the products inside shopping basket 501 can be left inside the opening of the container.

In the shopping basket disclosed in PTL 1, when products are moved to a container, a user is required to repetitively lift and take out the products one by one from an upper opening of the shopping basket, and placing the products in the container.

Shopping basket 501 according to Embodiment 1 can omit the process of moving products required in the shopping basket disclosed in PTL 1, and eliminate the user's trouble.

(1-2) Detail

Shopping basket 501 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 will be detailed below. The configuration described below is merely one example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following exemplary embodiments. Various modifications of the following exemplary embodiments are possible depending on design specification or the like, without departing from the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

In FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, up-down direction DEF and lateral direction DL are defined. Up-down direction DEF is parallel to upward direction DE and downward direction DF. Lateral direction DL is one of front direction DA, rear direction DB, left direction DC, and right direction DD. Front-rear direction DAB parallel to front direction DA and rear direction DB, and left-right direction DCD parallel to left direction DC and right direction DD are defined. These directions are relative directions determined only by relative positional relationships among components, such as the main basket body and bottom part, of the shopping basket, and are not absolute directions, such as a vertical direction. Lateral direction DL is a direction different from up-down direction DEF. According to Embodiment 1, up-down direction DEF, left-right direction DCD, and front-rear direction DAB are perpendicular to one another, that is, lateral direction DL is perpendicular to up-down direction DEF.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, shopping basket 501 includes main basket body 1, bottom part 2, and two handles 6.

Main basket body 1 is a main component of shopping basket 501, and allows products to be stored therein. Main basket body 1 surrounds bottom part 2. Main basket body 1 and bottom part 2 form internal space 501 a of shopping basket 501. Main basket body 1 is made of, e.g. resin, metal, or bamboo. The material is not particularly limited. In addition, main basket body 1 is not limited to a weaved type, and may be integrally molded into a net shape from synthetic resin, may be formed of a metal wire, or may be formed by combining plate members.

Circumferential wall 13 constitutes an outline of main basket body 1. Circumferential wall 13 includes two side walls 14 facing each other and two side walls 17 facing each other, and has a rectangular frame shape extending slenderly in left-right direction DCD viewing in a plan view, that is, viewing from above. Two side walls 14 are spaced apart from each other in left-right direction DCD. Two side walls 17 are spaced apart from each other in front-rear direction DAB. Side wall 14 positioned in left direction DC extends across ends of two side walls 17 in left direction DC. Side wall 14 positioned in right direction DD extends across ends of two side walls 17 in right direction DD.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, side wall 14 is configured to store bottom part 2 inside side wall 14. Side wall 14 includes inner wall 15 and outer wall 16 that face each other with gap 14 g in between. Inner wall 15 faces internal space 501 a, and forms a part of an inner surface of circumferential wall 13. Outer wall 16 is disposed on the outer side of inner wall 15 in left-right direction DCD, and forms a part of an outer surface of circumferential wall 13. Inner wall 15 and outer wall 16 are disposed away from each other with gap 14 g in between, and gap 14 g is configured to store bottom part 2.

Upper opening 11 is constituted by an opening provided in an upper surface of main basket body 1. Upper opening 11 communicates with internal space 501 a. Products can be placed in internal space 501 a through upper opening 11. Upper opening 11 according to the embodiment is provided over the entire upper surface of main basket body 1. Upper opening 11 may be formed partly in the upper surface of main basket body 1.

Lower opening 12 is constituted by an opening in a lower surface of main basket body 1. Lower opening 12 communicates with internal space 501 a, and allows products stored in internal space 501 a to pass through to the lower side. Lower opening 12 according to the embodiment is formed over the entire lower surface of main basket body 1. Lower opening 12 may be formed partly in the lower surface of main basket body 1.

Bottom part 2 is attached to main basket body 1 and can open lower opening 12. An upper surface of bottom part 2 is mounting surface 21 on which products are placed. Bottom part 2 includes plate body 22 that is movable with respect to lower opening 12 in lateral direction DL. In accordance with Embodiment 1, plate body 22 is slidable in left-right direction DCD.

Plate body 22 is slidably attached to a lower end of main basket body 1, and can open lower opening 12. Here, “slide” means that plate body 22 moves in a constant orientation, or moves while rubbing against main basket body 1.

Plate body 22 includes two flexible plates 23. Each flexible plate 23 is more deformable along slidable left-right direction DCD to be warpable in upward direction DE, but is less deformable along front-rear direction DAB to be warpable in up-down direction DEF. Two flexible plates 23 are disposed to correspond to two side walls 14, respectively. Each flexible plate 23 can be moved toward corresponding side wall 14, and be stored in gap 14 g between inner wall 15 and outer wall 16 of corresponding side wall 14.

Each flexible plate 23 includes multiple strips 24 having upper surfaces connected to one another in left-right direction DCD and extending slenderly in, e.g. front-rear direction DAB. In accordance with Embodiment 1, in order for flexible plate 23 to be light and strong, strip 24 has a tubular shape having a hollow part and extending in front-rear direction DAB.

Two guide rails 3 respectively guiding movement of two flexible plates 23 are provided in main basket body 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, each of two guide rails 3 is provided on respective one of two side walls 17. Each guide rail 3 protrudes toward internal space 501 a from a lower end of corresponding side wall 17. Each guide rail 3 includes upper piece 31 and lower piece 32 facing each other with groove 3 g in between. Flexible plate 23 is slidably fitted into groove 3 g between upper piece 31 and lower piece 32. Ends of two flexible plates 23 in front-rear direction DAB are supported by two guide rails 3, respectively.

Shopping basket 501 according to the embodiment includes layout maintainer 4. Layout maintainer 4 is configured to maintain the layout of products placed on bottom part 2 when bottom part 2 opens lower opening 12. Here, “layout of products” refers to the position of products on bottom part 2 of shopping basket 501, and does not refer to the positional relationship among multiple products.

Layout maintainer 4 includes two sheet members 40. Each sheet member 40 is made of a deformable thin member, such as cloth, paper, wood, flexible resin, or rubber. Each sheet member 40 according to the embodiment is made of a cloth having a band shape. Sheet member 40 extends from end 41 to end 42 in longitudinal direction L40. A width of sheet member 40 in front-rear direction DAB is smaller than a width of flexible plate 23 in front-rear direction DAB.

End 41 of sheet member 40 is fixed to an opening edge of lower opening 12 on an inner circumferential surface of main basket body 1 above flexible plate 23. Specifically, end 41 of sheet member 40 is fixed to fixture 43 extending across two side walls 17, and is fixed along the lower end of inner wall 15 of side wall 14.

Flexible plate 23 has upper surface 123, lower surface 223, and tip end 323 that connected with upper surface 123 and lower surface 223. Sheet member 40 extends along upper surface 123, tip end 323, and lower surface 223 of flexible plate 23 in this order from end 41 to end 42. Sheet member 40 passes through gap 14 g between inner wall 15 and outer wall 16 of side wall 14, and end 42 is connected to winder 5. Winder 5 is provided in each of two side walls 14.

Winder 5 is configured to wind up or pay out sheet member 40. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, winder 5 includes shaft 51 extending in front-rear direction DAB, and operation part 52 fixed to shaft 51. Shaft 51 extends across upper ends of two side walls 17, and is rotatable about center axis 51 c. End 42 of sheet member 40 is fixed to shaft 51. Rotation of operation part 52 about center axis 51 c of shaft 51 rotates shaft 51, and allows sheet member 40 to be wound up and paid out. Operation part 52 may be rotated by a user, or may be rotated by an electric motor.

The user lifts up main basket body 1 by holding two handles 6 together. Two handles 6 are connected to main basket body 1 with pins. Each of two handles 6 is laid across two side walls 17.

A usage of shopping basket 501 will be described below. FIGS. 3A to 3D are cross-sectional views of shopping basket 501 for illustrating a usage of shopping basket 501. The user selects displayed products 502 and places selected products 502 on bottom part 2 of shopping basket, thus storing products 502 in internal space 501 a of shopping basket 501, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B. After that, the user pays for products 502 stored in shopping basket 501. The user moves products 502 stored in shopping basket 501 from internal space 501 a of shopping basket 501 into internal space 503 a of container 503, such as a shopping bag in the following manner. Container 503 has opening 503 b communicating with internal space 503 a. In accordance with the embodiment, opening 503 b is an opening of a shopping bag.

The user finishing the payment places container 503 on basket mounting surface 71, with opening 503 b of container 503 open. In this state, shopping basket 501 storing products 502 therein is placed on bottom driving device 7, such that lower opening 12 of shopping basket 501 is positioned directly above opening 503 b of container 503.

Bottom driving device 7 is configured to drive bottom part 2 of shopping basket 501 according to the embodiment and open lower opening 12. Bottom driving device 7 includes basket mounting surface 71, driving part 73 a that drives bottom part 2 of shopping basket 501 placed on basket mounting surface 71, and winding device 76 that rotates winder 5. Driving part 73 a includes four protrusions 73 protruding upward from basket mounting surface 71, and driving device 73 b that moves four protrusions 73. Four protrusions 73 can be separated into two sets of protrusions 73 each including two protrusions 73. Driving device 73 b moves each of two sets of protrusions 73 in respective directions separating from each other along left-right direction DCD.

Two protrusions 73 of one set have two pins 74 of one set that are separated away from each other in front-rear direction DAB, respectively, while two protrusions 73 of the other set have two pins 74 of the other set that are separated away from each other in front-rear direction DAB. respectively. Two pins 74 of one set are inserted into two acceptors 23 r positioned at both ends of flexible plate 23 in front-rear direction DAB, respectively, and hold flexible plate 23. Similarly, two pins 74 of the other set are inserted into the other two acceptors 23 r positioned on both ends of the other flexible plate 23 in front-rear direction DAB, and hold the other flexible plate 23. Driving device 73 b moves two sets of protrusions 73 in directions separating away from each other along left-right direction DCD as illustrated in FIG. 3C, with protrusions 73 inserted in acceptors 23 r. This operation moves two flexible plates 23 in opposite directions along left-right direction DCD so as to open lower opening 12.

Winding device 76 rotates winder 5 in conjunction with movement of flexible plate 23. Winder 5 rotates and winds up sheet member 40 according to movement of flexible plate 23.

Since end 41 of sheet member 40 is fixed to the inner surface of main basket body 1, even when sheet member 40 is wound up by winder 5, products 502 placed on sheet member 40 do not move, and do remain on an upper surface facing internal space 501 a of sheet member 40, so that the layout is maintained. Thus, bottom part 2 of shopping basket 501 can be moved to open lower opening 12 of main basket body 1 while the layout of products 502 is maintained.

Then, the user removes shopping basket 501 from bottom driving device 7. Accordingly, products 502 are left inside opening 503 b of container 503, and then, opening 503 b is moved upward. As a result, products 502 are stored in internal space 503 a of container 503, such as a shopping bag.

(1-2) Advantageous Effect

As described above, shopping basket 501 according to the embodiment includes main basket body 1 having upper opening 11 and lower opening 12 are formed, and bottom part 2 attached to main basket body 1 to enable to lower opening 12 to open. Lower opening 12 allows products 502 to pass through. When bottom part 2 closes the lower opening 12, products 502 can be stored in internal space 501 a surrounded by main basket body 1 and the bottom part 2. Shopping basket 501 is configured such that products 502 can be taken out of internal space 501 a through lower opening 12 when bottom part 2 opens lower opening 12. This configuration allows, by opening lower opening 12, products 502 stored in internal space 501 to be taken out of shopping basket 501 through lower opening 12. When the user moves products 502 stored in shopping basket 501 to container 503, such as a shopping bag, troubles occurring in taking out products 502 one by one from shopping basket 501 can be eliminated.

Bottom part 2 is preferably movable in lateral direction DL with respect to main basket body 1 in accordance with the embodiment. This configuration allows bottom part 2 to move while main basket body 1 is put down so as to open lower opening 12. Hence, the user is not required to lift main basket body 1 upward.

Bottom part 2 preferably includes plate body 22 that is slidable with respect to main basket body 1 according to the embodiment. This configuration allows bottom part 2 to be freely openable with a simple structure.

Main basket body 1 preferably has guide rail 3 that guides movement of plate body 22 according to the embodiment. This configuration allows plate body 22 to move smoothly, and lower opening 12 can be opened smoothly.

The shopping bag may preferably include layout maintainer 4 configured to maintain the layout of products 502 placed on bottom part 2 when lower opening 12 is opened according to the embodiment. This configuration allows products 502 stored in internal space 501 a of shopping basket 501 can be taken out of shopping basket 501 through lower opening 12 of shopping basket 501, while the layout of products 502 is maintained. As a result, products 502 inside shopping basket 501 can be moved to container 503, such as a shopping bag, while the layout of products 502 is maintained.

Layout maintainer 4 preferably includes sheet member 40 having end 41 and end 42 opposite to end 41. Sheet member 40 is placed so as to extend along upper surface 122 and lower surface 222 of plate body 22 in this order from end 41 to end 42. End 41 is fixed to main basket body 1. According to this configuration, layout maintainer 4 can be implemented in a simple structure.

(1-3) Modification 1

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of another shopping basket 511 according to Embodiment 1. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, components identical to those of shopping basket 501 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3D are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Shopping basket 511 includes main basket body 1 a and bottom part 2 a.

Main basket body 1 a is a main component of shopping basket 511, and is configured to store products therein. Main basket body 1 a surrounds bottom part 2 a. Main basket body 1 a and bottom part 2 a form internal space 511 a of shopping basket 511. Main basket body 1 a is made of the same material as main basket body 1 of shopping basket 501 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3D.

Circumferential wall 13 a forms an outline of main basket body 1 a. Circumferential wall 13 a includes two side walls 14 a facing each other and two side walls 17 a facing each other, and has a rectangular frame shape extending slenderly in left-right direction DCD viewing in a plan view, i.e., viewing from above. Two side walls 14 a are spaced apart from each other in left-right direction DCD. Two side walls 17 a are spaced apart from each other in front-rear direction DAB. Side wall 14 a positioned in left direction DC is laid across ends of two side walls 17 a in left direction DC, and side wall 14 a positioned in right direction DD is laid across ends of two side walls 17 a in right direction DD.

Shopping basket 511 includes plate body 22 a forming bottom part 2 a instead of plate body 22 forming bottom part 2 of shopping basket 501 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3D. In shopping basket 501 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3D, plate body 22 forming bottom part 2 is composed of two flexible plates 23. Plate body 22 a of shopping basket 511 is composed of a single plate.

Side wall 14 a of circumferential wall 13 a of main basket body 1 a positioned in right direction DD has insertion slit 18 therein for inserting plate body 22 a. Two guide rails 3 a correspond to two side walls 17 a, respectively. Groove 3 g on which plate body 22 a slides is formed in guide rail 3 a.

When plate body 22 a is inserted into insertion slit 18, plate body 22 a can move in left-right direction DCD while being supported and guided by two guide rails 3 a. Thus, plate body 22 a is attached to main basket body 1 a so as to enable lower opening 12 a to open.

Similarly to shopping basket 501, shopping basket 511 includes layout maintainer 4 a that maintains the layout of products placed on bottom part 2 a when bottom part 2 a opens lower opening 12 a. Layout maintainer 4 a has a sheet shape having end 41 a and end 42 a opposite to end 41 a. End 41 a is fixed to side wall 14 a in right direction DD provided with insertion slit 18. Plate body 22 a has upper surface 122 a, lower surface 222 a, and tip end 322 a that is connected with upper surface 122 a and lower surface 222 a and is positioned in left direction DC. Layout maintainer 4 a extends along upper surface 122 a, tip end 322 a, and lower surface 222 a of plate body 22 a in this order, from end 41 a to end 42 a. End 42 a of layout maintainer 4 a is taken out of main basket body 1 a through insertion slit 18.

When end 42 a of layout maintainer 4 a is pulled in right direction DD while shopping basket 511 is in a state illustrated in FIG. 4A where lower opening 12 a is closed by plate body 22 a, layout maintainer 4 a move, and plate body 22 a also moves simultaneously in right direction DD in which lower opening 12 a opens. This operation causes lower opening 12 a of shopping basket 511 to open, and products stored in internal space 501 a can be taken out through lower opening 12 a while the layout of the products is maintained.

(1-4) Modification 2

FIG. 5 is a top view of shopping basket 551 of Modification 2 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view shopping basket 551 along line VI-VI illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of shopping basket 551 along line VII-VII illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of shopping basket 551 along line VIII-VIII illustrated in FIG. 5. In FIGS. 5 to 8, components identical to those of shopping basket 511 illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B are dented by the same reference numerals. Shopping basket 551 includes plate body 201 instead of plate body 22 a of shopping basket 511 illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, and does not include layout maintainer 4 a. In other words, an upper surface of plate body 201 directly contact products. Plate body 201 is configured to close lower opening 12 a, and slide in pull-out direction D501 with respect to main basket body 1 so as to open lower opening 12 a.

Two side walls 14 a of main basket body 1 a include side wall 114 a and side wall 114 b positioned opposite to side wall 114 a across internal space 501 a in between. Two side walls 17 a include side wall 117 a extending from one of both ends of side wall 114 a to one of both ends of side wall 114 b, and side wall 117 b extending from the other of both ends of side wall 114 a to the other of both ends of side wall 114 b. Side wall 117 b is positioned opposite to side wall 117 a across internal space 501 a in between. Insertion slit 18 into which plate body 201 is inserted is provided in side wall 114 a. Similarly to shopping basket 511 illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, grooves 3 g are provided in side walls 117 a and 117 b. Plate body 22 a moves while sliding along grooves 3 g in pull-out direction D501. Side wall 114 b has groove 114 g therein into which outer edge 2201 of plate body 201 fits when plate body 201 closes lower opening 12 a. As illustrated in FIG. 7, similarly to grooves 3 g provided in side walls 117 a and 117 b, groove 114 g is constituted by guide rail 444 having upper piece 444 a and lower piece 444 b provided on an inner surface of side wall 114 b facing internal space 501 a. Groove 114 g is formed between upper piece 444 a and lower piece 444 b. Groove 114 g is connected with two grooves 3 g of shopping basket 551, but may be separate from two grooves 3 g.

FIG. 9 is a top view of plate body 201. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 9, plate body 201 has outer edges 1201, 2201, 3201, and 4201. Outer edge 2201 faces side wall 114 b. Outer edge 1201 is positioned opposite to outer edge 1201. Outer edge 3201 faces side wall 117 a and is connected with outer edges 1201 and 2201. Outer edge 4201 faces side wall 117 b and is connected with outer edges 1201 and 2201. Outer edge 1201 faces the outside of main basket body 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, plate body 201 has end region 201 p in pull-out direction D501, end region 201 q opposite to end region 201 p, and center region 201 r positioned between end regions 201 p and 201 q and connected with end regions 201 p and 201 q. End region 201 p includes outer edge 1201. End region 201 q includes outer edge 2201.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, plate body 201 includes base plate 201 s having a plate shape and rib 201 t protruding from a lower surface of base plate 201 s.

When products placed in shopping basket 551 are heavy, plate body 201 warps, and has outer edges 3201 and 4201 of plate body 201 pressed against grooves 3 g. In this state, plate body 201 may be unable to slide smoothly along grooves 3 g. If plate body 201 has a large thickness to enhance a rigidity of plate body 201 and suppress warpage, shopping basket 551 becomes heavy.

In shopping basket 551, a thickness of the base plate in the up-down direction gradually increases toward outer edge 2201 at least in end region 201 q. Alternatively, the thickness of base plate 201 s in the up-down direction may gradually increase toward outer edge 2201 at least in center region 201 r and end region 201 q. Alternatively, the thickness of base plate 201 s in the up-down direction may gradually increase toward outer edge 2201, over whole plate body 201. Accordingly, an average of the thickness of end region 201 q of plate body 201 in the up-down direction is larger than an average of the thickness of center region 201 r in the up-down direction. This configuration allows the rigidity of end region 201 q of plate body 201 to be larger than the rigidity of center region 201 r. When plate body 201 is slid and partially open lower opening 12 a, products are mainly placed on end region 201 q instead of center region 201 r. Hence, the rigidity is enlarged mainly in end region 201 q of plate body 201, and not in end region 201 p or center region 201 r of plate body 201. This configuration suppresses the aforementioned warpage effectively, and allows plate body 201 to slide smoothly along grooves 3 g without causing an excessive increase in a weight of plate body 201, that is, a weight of shopping basket 551.

Plate body 201 further includes plural ribs 201 w protruding from an upper surface of base plate 201 s. Ribs 201 w are arranged in front-rear direction DAB, and extend slenderly in pull-out direction D501, that is, in left-right direction DCD. When products are stored in internal space 501 a, the products contacts an upper surface of plate body 201. At this moment, if the products are put in an airtight bag or are wet, the products may adhere onto the upper surface of plate body 201. In this case, when plate body 201 moves in pull-out direction D501 through insertion slit 18, the product adhered onto the upper surface of plate body 201 hardly moves even if the product is pushed by side wall 114 a, and hinders movement of plate body 201. In shopping basket 551, products contact upper ends of plural ribs 201 w, and are partially separated from base plate 201 s. This configuration reduces an area where the products contact the upper surface of plate body 201, so that the products are less likely to adhere onto the upper surface of plate body 201. This configuration allows products to move easily when plate body 201 moves in pull-out direction D501 through insertion slit 18 and the products are pushed by side wall 114 a. Hence, plate body 201 can be moved smoothly.

In the case where a product is a thin product, such as a postal card, when plate body 201 is moved in pull-out direction D501 through insertion slit 18, the product may slide out of internal space 501 a through a gap between an upper inner edge of insertion slit 18 and the upper surface of plate body 201, thus producing a problem that the product is prevented from being moved to the container through lower opening 12 a. Shopping basket 551 prevents this problem with the following configuration.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of part AA of shopping basket 551 illustrated in FIG. 6, and shows insertion slit 18 provided in side wall 114 a of main basket body 1 a while plate body 201 is inserted into insertion slit 18. Insertion slit 18 of main basket body 1 a has upper inner edge 18 a facing the upper surface of base plate 201 s of plate body 201, and lower inner edge 18 b facing a lower surface of plate body 201. Main basket body 1 a includes plural protrusions 18 t protruding in downward direction DF from upper inner edge 18 a of insertion slit 18. Plural protrusions 18 t are interdigitated with plural ribs 201 w when plate body 201 moves in pull-out direction D501 through insertion slit 18 while opening lower opening 12 a. In according to Embodiment 1, plural ribs 201 w and multiple protrusions 18 t are arranged alternately. Each of some of protrusions 18 t may be arranged between adjacent two ribs 201 w among plural ribs 201 w. Alternatively, each of some of ribs 201 w may be arranged between respective adjacent two protrusions 18 t among plural protrusions 18 t. At this moment, plural protrusions 18 t partially overlap plural ribs 18 t in a direction (front-rear direction DAB) parallel to the upper surface of base plate 201 s and perpendicular to pull-out direction D501. In this configuration, even if a this product is placed on the upper surface of plate body 201, that is, on the upper end of rib 201 w, the product hits at least one of plural protrusions 18 t when plate body 201 moves in pull-out direction D501, and is prevented from sliding out of internal space 501 a from insertion slit 18. In accordance with Embodiment 1, viewing in front-rear direction DAB, plural protrusions 18 t overlap plural ribs 201 w by width L116 in up-down direction DEF. Gap L115 in up-down direction DEF between the upper surface of base plate 201 s of plate body 201 and upper inner edge 18 a of insertion slit 18, is larger than width L116. The lower ends of multiple protrusions 18 t are separated from the upper surface of base plate 201 s of plate body 201.

Outer edge 2201 of plate body 201 facing side wall 114 b of main basket body 1 a is recessed by depth L2201 to deepest point 2201 d in pull-out direction D501 (right direction DD). In other words, a distance from both ends of plate body 201 in front-rear direction DAB to deepest point 2201 d in left-right direction DCD is depth L2201. Depth L2201 is smaller than a depth of groove 114 g in left-right direction DCD. Outer edge 2201 fits into groove 114 g when plate body 201 closes lower opening 12 a.

In the case that outer edge 2201 of plate body 201 between both ends of plate body 201 has a straight shape, if plate body 201 warps in up-down direction DEF, outer edge 2201 of plate body 201 may not fit into groove 114 g provided in side wall 114 b even when plate body 201 is moved in left direction DC along grooves 3 g to close lower opening 12 a. This may prevents plate body 201 from completely close lower opening 12 a. In shopping basket 551, outer edge 2201 of plate body 201 that fits into groove 114 g is concave in right direction DD. Hence, even if plate body 201 warps in up-down direction DEF, outer edge 2201 of plate body 201 is surely inserted by being guided by groove 114 g from both ends of outer edge 2201. Accordingly, lower opening 12 a can be surely closed even if plate body 201 warps in up-down direction DEF. In shopping basket 551 according to Embodiment 1, outer edge 2201 of plate body 201 extends linearly from both ends of outer edge 2201 to deepest point 2201 d, and deepest point 2201 d is at a center of outer edge 2201 in front-rear direction DAB. In other words, viewing in up-down direction DEF, each of outer edges 2201, 3201, and 4201 of plate body 201 has an M shape. Within the area from both ends of outer edge 2201 of plate body 201 to deepest point 2201 d, plate body 201 may curve from both ends of outer edge 2201 to deepest point 2201 d.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, through-holes 291 are provided in side walls 114 a, 114 b, 117 a, and 117 b. In shopping basket 551 according to Embodiment 1, through-hole 291 has a circular shape having a diameter ranging from 2 mm to 5 mm. This configuration can reduce the weight of shopping basket 551 while products stored in internal space 501 a are prevented from falling out from through-hole 291 even when the products are small. Shopping baskets 501 and 511 may also have plural through-holes 291 in side walls 14, 14 a, 17, and 17 a, providing the same effects.

The structure of locking plate body 201 onto main basket body 1 a when plate body 201 closes lower opening 12 a will be described below. In order to lock by hooking a part of plate body 201 onto main basket body 1 a, a complex structure for releasing the lock is required in the bottom driving device. In shopping basket 551 according to Embodiment 1, plate body 201 is locked to main basket body 1 a by magnetic force of a magnet.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of part BB of shopping basket 551 illustrated in FIG. 8. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of shopping basket 551 along line XVII-XVII illustrated in FIG. 11. Plate body 201 has side wall 1201 a extending in downward direction DF from outer edge 1201. Shopping basket 551 includes yoke 612 embedded inside side wall 1201 a of plate body 201, magnet 611 embedded inside side wall 1201 a, and yoke 613 embedded in main basket body 1 a. Magnet 611 has surfaces 611 a and surface 611 b opposite to surface 611 a. Surface 611 a is positioned in left direction DC of yoke 612 and contacts yoke 612. Surface 611 b of magnet 611 is exposed in left direction DC. Yoke 613 is positioned in downward direction DF from lower inner edge 18 b of insertion slit 18 of main basket body 1 a. Yoke 613 has surface 613 a exposed in right direction DD. When plate body 201 closes lower opening 12 a completely, surface 611 b of magnet 611 contacts surface 613 a of yoke 613, and is fixed to yoke 613 by magnetic force of magnet 611. Thus, plate body 201 is locked to main basket body 1 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, magnet 611 is polarized in front-rear direction DAB to have magnetic poles 611 p 611 q aligned in front-rear direction DAB and having opposite polarities. When surface 611 b of magnet 611 contacts surface 613 a of yoke 613, magnetic flux generated in one of magnetic poles 611 p and 611 q passes through yokes 612 and 613, and enters the other of magnetic poles 611 p and 611 q forms a closed magnetic circuit, and substantially does not exit yokes 612, 613. This configuration causes magnet 611 to be firmly fixed by yoke 613, and causes plate body 201 to be firmly locked onto main basket body 1 a. Hence, plate body 201 can be prevented from accidentally opening lower opening 12 a during shopping by the user. Since the magnetic flux substantially does not leak from yokes 612 and 613, magnetic influence on the products inside internal space 501 a can be prevented.

FIG. 13A is an enlarged view of part CC of shopping basket 551 illustrated in FIG. 6. As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13A, recess 2114 a is provided between the lower end of side wall 114 a and lower inner edge 18 b of insertion slit 18. Side wall 1201 a of plate body 201 is exposed from recess 2114 a. When plate body 201 closes lower opening 12 a completely, magnet 611 contacts surface 613 a of yoke 613. The bottom driving device has a claw that enters recess 2114 a from below, hooks side wall 1201 a of plate body 201, and urges side wall 1201 a in right direction DD. Length W11 of recess 2114 a in front-rear direction DAB is larger than the width of the claw in front-rear direction DAB of the bottom driving device, and smaller than the width of a finger. This configuration disables a finger to be inserted into recess 2114 a from below and to be hooked on side wall 1201 a of plate body 201. Hence, it is possible to suppress movement of plate body 201 locked onto main basket body 1 a in right direction DD with the finger, and avoid opening of lower opening 12 a.

Yokes 612 and 613 are made of magnetic metal, and have high strength. As illustrated in FIG. 11, yoke 612 embedded in plate body 20 extends from side wall 1201 a of plate body 201 to base plate 201 s. Accordingly, since yoke 612 having high strength extends from side wall 1201 a to base plate 211 s, side wall 1201 a is connected to base plate 201 s firmly, and strength of side wall 1201 a itself can be increased. As illustrated in FIG. 12, yoke 613 embedded in main basket body 1 a extends from one part to the other on both sides of recess 2114 a of side wall 114 a while passing through recess 2114 a. This configuration increases strength of a part of side wall 114 a that is thin because of recess 2114 a. Yokes 612 and 613 thus increase the strength of shopping basket 551.

FIG. 13B is a partial enlarged view of still another shopping basket 561 according to Embodiment 1. In FIG. 13B, components identical to those of shopping basket 551 illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 13A are denoted by the same reference numerals. Shopping basket 561 illustrated in FIG. 13B is different from shopping basket 551 illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 13A in a structure connecting main basket body 1 a to plate body 201. FIG. 13B illustrates this structure. In shopping basket 551 illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 13A, groove 114 g into which outer edge 2201 of plate body 201 is inserted is provided in side wall 114 b of main basket body 1 a, and grooves 3 g into which outer edges 3201 and 4201 of plate body 201 are inserted are provided in side walls 117 a and 117 b of main basket body 1 a. In shopping basket 561 illustrated in FIG. 13B, protrusion 114 t is provided in side wall 114 b of main basket body 1 a, and protrusions 3 t are provided in side walls 117 a and 117 b. Groove 2201 g into which protrusion 114 t of side wall 114 b of main basket body 1 a is inserted is provided in outer edge 2201 of plate body 201, while grooves 3201 g and 4201 g into which protrusions 3 t of side walls 117 a and 117 b of main basket body 1 a are inserted are provided in outer edges 3201 and 4201 of plate body 201, respectively. This structure allows main basket body 1 a to be connected with plate body 201 as in shopping basket 551 illustrated in FIG. 5, and provides similar effects.

In shops, plural unused shopping baskets are stacked while an upper shopping basket is stored in an internal space of a lower shopping basket. To increase the number of the stacked shopping baskets, the side walls preferably have angles than a right angle with respect to the bottom part. On the other hand, to take out products inserted from upper opening 11 of the shopping basket through lower opening 12 a easily, the size of lower opening 12 a is preferably close to that of upper opening 11, that is, the side walls have angles close to a right angle with respect to the bottom part. If the shopping basket is formed for easily taking out products from lower opening 12 a, the number of the stacked shopping baskets is reduced. Hence, the angle between the plate body and each of the side walls is optimized in consideration of easily taking out products from lower opening 12 a, and an increase of the number of the stacked shopping baskets.

In shopping basket 501 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3D, plate body 22 is stored inside side wall 14, and therefore, hardy provide thin side wall 14. Additionally, to store plate body 22 smoothly inside side wall 14, the bottom part and side walls need to be connected with smooth curves, thereby the shape and the angles of the side walls are limited to some extent, and the angle between the plate body and each of the side walls may not be optimized. In shopping baskets 511, 551, and 561 illustrated in FIGS. 4A to 13B, nothing is stored inside side walls 14 a, and 17 a, and the angle with the bottom part (plate body 201) can be set arbitrarily. Hence, the angle between the plate body and each of the side walls can be optimized in consideration of easily taking out products from lower opening 12 a and an increase in the number of the stacked shopping baskets.

(2) Exemplary Embodiment 2

FIGS. 14A to 14C are perspective views of shopping basket 521 according to Exemplary Embodiment 2. FIG. 14D is a partial enlarged view of shopping basket 521 illustrated in FIG. 14B. FIGS. 15A to 15C are side views of shopping basket 521 according to Embodiment 2. In FIGS. 14A to 15C, components identical to those of shopping basket 501 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3D are dented by the same reference numerals.

(2-1) Detail

As illustrated in FIG. 14A, shopping basket 521 according to Embodiment 2 includes bottom part 2 b that can open lower opening 12 of main basket body 1, instead of bottom part 2 of shopping basket 501 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3D.

Bottom part 2 b includes two rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b, and interlocking mechanism 8 that operate two rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b together interlocking each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 15A, rotatable body 25 a is divided into segment bodies 26 a and 26 b. Segment bodies 26 a and 26 b are connected to main basket body 1 via axis part 191. Axis part 191 has axes 91 and 92. Segment bodies 26 a and 26 b that constitute rotatable body 25 a are connected at axis 91 of axis part 191. Segment bodies 26 a and 26 b are rotatable about axis 91.

As illustrated in FIG. 15A, rotatable body 25 b is divided into segment bodies 26 c and 26 d. Segment bodies 26 c and 26 d are connected to main basket body 1 via axis part 191. Segment bodies 26 c and 26 d that constitute rotatable body 25 b are connected at axis 92 of axis part 191. Segment bodies 26 c and 26 d are rotatable about axis 92.

Axis 91 is provided at a position along the edge of rotatable body 25 a in rear direction DB when rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b close lower opening 12, that is, at an end of rotatable body 25 a facing rotatable body 25 b. Axis 92 is provided at a position along the edge of rotatable body 25 b in front direction DA, that is, at an end of rotatable body 25 b facing rotatable body 25 a. Here, “end” refers to a region having a predetermined width in front-rear direction DAB. When rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b rotate, lower ends of rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b move substantially in lateral direction DL.

Each of segment bodies 26 a and 26 b includes bottom plate 27 a and two wall plates 28 a that stand in upward direction DE from both ends of bottom plate 27 a in front-rear direction DAB. Bottom plate 27 a has a lower surface having an arcuate shape. An outer surface of bottom plate 27 a has an arcuate shape curving about around axis 91. Wall plate 28 a has a fan shape having a width gradually decreasing from bottom plate 27 a toward axis 91. Each of segment bodies 26 c and 26 d includes bottom plate 27 b and two wall plates 28 b that stand in upward direction DE from both ends of bottom plate 27 b in front-rear direction DAB. Bottom plate 27 b has a lower surface having an arcuate shape An outer surface of bottom plate 27 b has an arcuate shape curving about axis 92. Wall plate 28 b has a fan shape having a width gradually decreasing from bottom plate 27 b toward axis 92.

Segment body 26 b is located below segment body 26 a when bottom part 2 b closes lower opening 12. A length of bottom plate 27 a of segment body 26 a in front-rear direction DAB is smaller than a length of bottom plate 27 a of segment body 26 a in front-rear direction DAB. The length of wall plate 28 a of segment body 26 a is smaller than the length of wall plate 28 a of segment body 26 a. Accordingly, when segment body 26 b rotates and moves in upward direction DE, a part of segment body 26 a overlapping segment body 26 b increases, and segment body 26 a is inserted on an inner side of segment body 26 b, that is, is positioned between segment body 26 b and internal space 501 a. Segment body 26 b is located below segment body 26 a, when bottom part 2 b closes lower opening 12. The length of bottom plate 27 b of segment body 26 c in front-rear direction DAB is smaller than the length of bottom plate 27 b of segment body 26 c in front-rear direction DAB. The length of wall plate 28 b of segment body 26 c is smaller than the length of wall plate 28 b of segment body 26 c. Accordingly, when segment body 26 d rotates and moves in upward direction DE, a part of segment body 26 c overlapping segment body 26 d increases, and segment body 26 c is inserted on the inner side of segment body 26 d, that is, is positioned between segment body 26 d and internal space 501 a. Thus, lower opening 12 opens.

Interlocking mechanism 8 includes gear parts 81 a and 81 b and case 83 accommodating gear parts 81 a and 81 b therein. Gear part 81 a is provided at upper ends of wall plates 28 a and 28 b of segment bodies 26 a and 26 c. Gear part 81 b is provided at upper ends of wall plates 28 a and 28 b of segment bodies 26 b and 26 d. Gear parts 81 a and 81 b of rotatable body 25 a are engaged with gear parts 81 a and 81 b of rotatable body 25 b, and rotate synchronously with gear parts 81 a and 81 b in different directions, respectively. That is, gear part 81 a of segment body 26 a of rotatable body 25 a is engaged with gear part 81 a of segment body 26 c of rotatable body 25 b, and rotates synchronously with gear part 81 a in a different direction. Gear part 81 b of segment body 26 c of rotatable body 25 a is engaged with gear part 81 b of segment body 26 d of rotatable body 25 b, and rotates synchronously with gear part 81 b in a different direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 14D, hooking protrusion 82 protruding toward internal space 501 a is provided on the edge of segment body 26 b facing internal space 501 a in front-rear direction DAB. Segment body 26 b is moved in upward direction DE so as to open lower opening 12, hooking protrusion 82 contacts segment body 26 a, and thereby, moves segment body 26 a following the movement of segment body 26 b. Similarly to hooking protrusion 82, a hooking protrusion protruding toward internal space 501 a is provided on the edge of segment body 26 d facing internal space 501 a in front-rear direction DAB. When segment body 26 d is moved in upward direction DE so as to open lower opening 12, this hooking protrusion contacts segment body 26 c, and thereby, moves segment body 26 c following the movement of segment body 26 b.

While rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b close lower opening 12, legs 29 a and 29 b are provided on lower ends of rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b, respectively. While rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b close lower opening 12, legs 29 a and 29 b form leg base 29. When shopping basket 521 is placed on mounting surface 71 a, leg base 29 stands on mounting surface 71 a. Hence, shopping basket 521 is stably supported by mounting surface 71 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 15C, while lower opening 12 opens, leg base 29 contacts a peripheral part of lower opening 12 of main basket body 1 so as to prevent rotation of rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b in upward direction DE, thus functioning as a rotation stopper configured to prevent the rotation of rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b in upward direction DE. Accordingly, even if rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b spring up to open lower opening 12, shopping basket 521 prevents excessive rotation of rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b about axis part 191 inside main basket body 1.

When a pair of rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b rotate in directions away from each other while products are stored in internal space 501 a of shopping basket 521 according to the embodiment and are placed on mounting surface 71 a, the weight of shopping basket 521 causes segment bodies 26 a and 26 b to rotate in opening directions, and causes hooking protrusion 82 to contact the edge on the center in the front-rear direction of segment bodies 26 a and 26 c. Further, when segment bodies 26 b and 26 d rotate in directions separating away from each other and opening, in conjunction to this, segment bodies 26 a and 26 c rotate in directions separating away from each other and opening, and open lower opening 12.

Axes 91 and 92 are provided along the center in front-rear direction DAB. For this reason, lower ends of the pair of rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b move in lateral direction DL. As a result, shopping basket 521 according to the embodiment can move rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b in directions opening rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b without lifting up main basket body 1.

(2-2) Advantageous Effect

In shopping basket 521 according to the embodiment, bottom part 2 b includes a pair of rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b on which products can be placed. The pair of rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b are rotatable in different directions about the axis part with respect to main basket body 1. In this configuration, when the pair of rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b are opened, the weight of shopping basket 521 can move rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b in opening directions.

In shopping basket 521 according to the embodiment, bottom part 2 b includes rotatable body 25 a axially supported by axis 91, and includes rotatable body 25 b axially supported by axis 92. When two rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b close lower opening 12, axis 91 is provided at an end of rotatable body 25 a facing rotatable body 25 b, and axis 92 is provided at an end of rotatable body 25 b facing rotatable body 25 a. In this configuration, even when rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b move in opening directions, rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b move in lateral direction DL. Hence, the process of lifting up main basket body 1 can be eliminated.

In addition, in shopping basket 521 according to the embodiment, rotatable body 25 a is divided into plural segment bodies 26 a and 26 b, and rotatable body 25 b is divided into plural segment bodies 26 c and 26 d. When rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b rotate in directions separating away from each other, segment bodies 26 a and 26 b open lower opening 12 while overlapping each other, and plural segment bodies 26 c and 26 d open lower opening 12 while overlapping each other. In this configuration, even when two rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b rotate in opening directions, segment bodies 26 a and 26 b move in upward direction DE while overlapping each other, and segment bodies 26 c and 26 d move in upward direction DE while overlapping each other. Hence, segment bodies 26 a to 26 d can be stored preferably in main basket body 1.

In shopping basket 521 according to the embodiment, two rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b rotate synchronously with each other in different directions. In to this configuration, two rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b can be opened and closed by moving only one rotatable body of two rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b.

(2-3) Modification

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view of another shopping basket 531 according to Embodiment 2. In FIG. 16A, components identical to those of shopping basket 521 illustrated in FIGS. 14A to 15C are denoted by the same reference numerals. Shopping basket 531 includes bottom part 2 c and shaft 9 c, instead of bottom part 2 b and axes 91 and 92 of shopping basket 521 illustrated in FIGS. 14A to 15C.

In shopping basket 521 illustrated in FIGS. 14A to 15C, axes 91 and 92 are placed at the center of shopping basket 521 in front-rear direction DAB.

In shopping basket 531 illustrated in FIG. 16A, bottom part 2 c includes two rotatable bodies 25 c each having a cross section having an L-shape. Two rotatable bodies 25 c are attached to main basket body 1 rotatably about shafts 9 c fixed to upper ends of two side walls 14, respectively. Two rotatable bodies 25 c rotate in different directions, and can thereby open lower opening 12 of main basket body 1.

In shopping basket 521 illustrated in FIGS. 14A to 15C, axes 91 and 92 are placed at the center of shopping basket 521 in front-rear direction DAB. In shopping basket 531 illustrated in FIG. 16A, shaft 9 c is fixed to the upper end of side wall 14.

FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of still another shopping basket 541 according to Embodiment 2. In FIG. 16B, components identical to those of shopping basket 531 illustrated in FIG. 16A are denoted by the same reference numerals. In shopping basket 541, shaft 9 c is provided at an intermediate part of side wall 14 in up-down direction DEF.

(3) Application

In shopping basket 501 according to Embodiment 1, bottom part 2 is driven by bottom driving device 7. A user or a shop staff, for example, may manually open and close bottom part 2.

In shopping basket 501 according to Embodiment 1, the container into which products are moved is a shopping bag. However, the container may be, e.g. a box or a bag owned by the user.

The shopping baskets according to Embodiments 1 and 2 are hand-held shopping baskets. However, the shopping baskets may be cart type shopping baskets pushed by the user. In an exemplar form of a cart type shopping basket, a main basket body is integrally provided with a cart main body that is movable by casters, and a bottom part is provided to enable opening of a lower opening of the main basket body.

Shopping basket 501 according to Embodiment 1 includes layout maintainer 4. Shopping basket 501 may not necessarily include layout maintainer 4. Shopping basket 501 may not necessarily include winder 5. In this case, plate body 22 slides with products directly placed on plate body 22. In this case, minute irregularities are preferably formed on upper surface 122 of plate body 22 to minimize a coefficient of friction of upper surface 122 of plate body 22.

In shopping basket 501 according to Embodiment 1, protrusion 73 of bottom driving device 7 holds acceptor 23 r. Acceptor 23 r may be implemented by a hole provided in, e.g. an end of plate body 22 in front-rear direction DAB or in lower surface 222 of plate body 22. The configuration of bottom driving device 7 is not limited to the configuration of the present exemplary embodiment.

In shopping basket 521 according to Embodiment 2, axis part 191 has separate axes 91 and 92. However, axes 91 and 92 may be unified as a single axis.

In rotatable bodies 25 a and 25 b of the shopping basket according to Embodiment 2, bottom plate 27 has an arcuate shape. Bottom plate 27 may have a flat shape.

In the embodiments, terms, such as “upward direction,” “downward direction,” “up-down direction,” “lateral direction,” “upper opening,” and “lower opening,” indicating directions indicate relative directions determined only by a relative positional relationship of constituent members, such as a main basket body and a bottom part, of a shopping basket, and does not indicate absolute directions, such as a vertical direction.

REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS

-   1, 1 a main basket body -   2, 2 c bottom part -   3 guide rail -   3 g groove (second groove, third groove) -   4 layout maintainer -   11 upper opening -   12, 12 a lower opening -   18 insertion slit -   18 t protrusion -   22 plate body -   25 a, 25 b rotatable body -   26 a to 26 d segment body -   40 sheet member -   91 axis (first axis) -   92 axis (second axis) -   114 a side wall (first side wall) -   114 b side wall (second side wall) -   114 g groove (first groove) -   117 a side wall (third side wall) -   117 b side wall (fourth side wall) -   201 plate body -   201 p end region (first end region) -   201 q end region (second end region) -   201 r center region -   201 s base plate -   201 t rib -   201 w rib -   D501 pull-out direction -   501 a internal space 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shopping basket comprising: a main basket body having an upper opening and a lower opening which are opposite to each other in an up-down direction, the main basket body configured to store a product therein; and a bottom part attached to the main basket body to open and close the lower opening, wherein, when the bottom part closes the lower opening, the main basket body and the bottom part constitute an internal space which is surrounded by the main basket body and the bottom part and which communicates with the upper opening and the lower opening, and allow the internal space to store the product therein, and wherein, when the bottom part opens the lower opening, the lower opening allows the product to be taken out of the internal space through the lower opening.
 2. The shopping basket according to claim 1, wherein the bottom part is movable with respect to the main basket body in a lateral direction different from the up-down direction.
 3. The shopping basket according to claim 1, wherein the bottom part includes a plate body slidable on the main basket body.
 4. The shopping basket according to claim 3, wherein the main basket body includes a guide rail that guides the plate body to allow the plate body to move.
 5. The shopping basket according to claim 3, wherein the plate body closes the lower opening, and open the lower opening by sliding in a pull-out direction with respect to the main basket body, wherein the plate body has a first end region positioned in the pull-out direction, a second end region opposite to the first end region, and a center region positioned between the first end region and the second end region, the center region being connected to the first end region and the second end region, and wherein a rigidity of the second end region of the plate body is larger than a rigidity of the center region of the plate body.
 6. The shopping basket according to claim 5, wherein an average of a thickness of the second end region of the plate body in the up-down direction is larger than an average of a thickness of the center region of the plate body in the up-down direction.
 7. The shopping basket according to claim 6, wherein the plate body includes: a base plate having a plate shape; and a rib protruding from one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the base plate, wherein the second end region of the plate body includes an outer edge facing the main basket body, and wherein, in the second end region of the plate body, a thickness of the base plate in the up-down direction gradually increases toward the outer edge.
 8. The shopping basket according to claim 3, wherein the plate body includes: a base plate having a plate shape; and a plurality of ribs protruding from an upper surface of the base plate.
 9. The shopping basket according to claim 8, wherein an insertion slit into which the plate body is inserted is provided in the main basket body, wherein the plate body closes the lower opening, and slides in a pull-out direction to move through the insertion slit to open the lower opening, wherein the plurality of ribs of the plate body extend in the pull-out direction, wherein the insertion slit of the main basket body has an upper inner edge facing the upper surface of the base plate, wherein the main basket body has a plurality of protrusions protruding in a downward direction from the upper inner edge of the insertion slit, wherein the plurality of protrusions are configured to be arranged between the plurality of ribs, when the plate body moves in the pull-out direction through the insertion slit while opening the lower opening, and wherein the plurality of protrusions of the main basket body partially overlap the plurality of ribs in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the base plate and perpendicular to the pull-out direction when the plate body moves from the main basket body in the pull-out direction through the insertion slit while opening the lower opening.
 10. The shopping basket according to claim 3, wherein the main basket body includes: a first side wall having an insertion slit therein into which the plate body is inserted; a second side wall opposite to the first side wall to locate the internal space between the first side wall and the second side wall; a third side wall extending from one of both ends of the first side wall to one of both ends of the second side wall; and a fourth side wall extending from another of both ends of the first side wall to another of both ends of the second side wall, the fourth side wall being opposite to the third side wall to locate the internal space between the third side wall and the fourth side wall, wherein the plate body closes the lower opening, and opens the lower opening by sliding in a pull-out direction to move through the insertion slit, and wherein the plate body has a first outer edge which is concave and faces a second side wall.
 11. The shopping basket according to claim 10, wherein a first groove is provided in the second side wall of the main basket body, the first groove allows the first outer edge of the plate body to fit into the first groove when the plate body closes the lower opening.
 12. The shopping basket according to claim 11, wherein the plate body further includes: a second outer edge facing the third side wall of the main basket body and connected to the first outer edge; and a third outer edge facing the fourth side wall of the main basket body and connected to the first outer edge, and wherein a second groove and a third groove are provided in the third side wall and the fourth side wall, respectively, the second groove and the third groove allow the second outer edge and the third outer edge of the plate body to slide when the plate body slides in the pull-out direction.
 13. The shopping basket according to claim 12, wherein the first groove is connected to the second groove and the third groove.
 14. The shopping basket according to claim 3, further comprising a layout maintainer to maintain a layout of the product placed on the bottom part when the lower opening is opened.
 15. The shopping basket according to claim 14, wherein the layout maintainer includes a sheet member having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end being fixed to the main basket body, and wherein the sheet member extends from the first end to the second end along an upper surface and a lower surface of the plate body in this order.
 16. The shopping basket according to claim 1, wherein the bottom part has a first rotatable body and a second rotatable body that close the lower opening and allow the product to be placed on the first rotatable body and the second rotatable body, and wherein the first rotatable body and the second rotatable body rotate with respect to the main basket body in different directions about an axis part.
 17. The shopping basket according to claim 16, wherein the axis part includes a first axis and a second axis, the first axis axially supporting the first rotatable body, the second axis axially supporting the second rotatable body, and wherein, while the first rotatable body and the second rotatable body close the lower opening, the first axis is located at an end of the first rotatable body facing the second rotatable body, and the second axis is located at an end of the second rotatable body facing the first rotatable body.
 18. The shopping basket according to claim 16, wherein each of the first rotatable body and the second rotatable body includes a plurality of segment bodies movable relative to one another, and wherein, when the first rotatable body and the second rotatable body rotate in directions separating from each other, the plurality of segment bodies open the lower opening while overlapping one another.
 19. The shopping basket according to claim 16, wherein the first rotatable body and the second rotatable body rotate synchronously to each other in different directions. 